In summary

  • Over 160 young Australians recently gathered at Swinburne’s Hawthorn campus for the first Melbourne-hosted National Youth STEM Summit

  • Attendees heard from leading voices in STEM, including Professor Alan Duffy, Professor Misty Jenkins AO, and Dr Doug Hilton AO

  • The three-day event featured keynotes, panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and a study and career expo designed to support those beginning their STEM studies and careers

From 19 to 21 July 2025, Swinburne’s Hawthorn campus welcomed more than 160 attendees from across Australia for the first Melbourne-hosted National Youth STEM Summit, presented by the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF).  

“Swinburne brings together cutting-edge research, strong industry partnerships, and a commitment to inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders, which made us the perfect host for this event,” says Professor Virginia Kilborn, Swinburne’s Chief Scientist.

“Hosting the National Youth STEM Summit in Melbourne for the first time was a significant milestone. It allowed us to showcase the city’s vibrant STEM community and connect young Australians with world-class experts and opportunities. Bringing the summit here strengthens local connections while inspiring the next generation of innovators.”  

Over the three days, attendees heard from some of Australia’s leading STEM figures, including Professor Alan Duffy, Swinburne’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Flagship Initiatives, Professor Misty Jenkins AO, Laboratory Head at WEHI and a proud Gunditjmara woman, and Dr Doug Hilton AO, Chief Executive of CSIRO. The summit also featured panels, workshops, and a study and career expo designed to support the transition from study into STEM careers.

“The NYSF National Youth STEM Summit is designed for those in the earliest stages of their science and technology journey after school and helps diverse young people from all over Australia connect with like-minded peers, meet a wide range of Australian science and technology professionals, and explore the plethora of career pathways that STEM has to offer,” says Dr Melanie Bagg, CEO of the National Youth STEM Forum.

Swinburne's Professor Alan Duffy hosted a keynote

Professor Alan Duffy challenges attendees to rethink AI 

Swinburne’s Professor Alan Duffy hosted a keynote that combined his personal reflections with professional insights. Professor Duffy shared lessons from his journey through academia, science communication and innovation in the Australian space sector. He encouraged attendees to embrace both the uncertainty and opportunity that define a career in STEM.

Professor Duffy asked attendees to think critically about the role of AI in their futures. “Knowing yourself has never been more important because AI knows a lot,” said Professor Duffy.

Professor Misty Jenkins PhD AO presented a keynote

Creating opportunities

Professor Misty Jenkins PhD AO presented a keynote where she shared her insights on innovation, resilience and the future of STEM. Professor Jenkins encouraged the attendees to “create those opportunities, put yourself in environments like this with other like-minded people to learn from. Know that every conversation you have, every thought you think, every book you read, you're learning something. Creating those opportunities for yourself is really important.”

Dr Doug Hilton AO delivered a keynote

You belong and your contribution matters

Dr Doug Hilton AO delivered a keynote about the ongoing value of science, trust and curiosity. He shared the importance of First Nations knowledge, mentorship across generations and the role of doubt in science. Dr Hilton encouraged attendees to stay curious, embrace diverse perspectives and maintain public trust in science saying, “Please know that not only do you belong, but you're also desperately wanted and needed.”

Attendees at the 2025 National Youth STEM Summit

A successful summit

The 2025 National Youth STEM Summit brought together young Australians from diverse backgrounds, providing a unique platform to explore STEM career pathways, build essential skills and connect with industry leaders.  

Summit delegate Elizabeth said, "The National Youth STEM Summit is an absolutely incredible opportunity to make connections with both student peers and with established professionals and trailblazers in the field, and it’s a brilliant chance to look at STEM from a different angle compared to everyday tertiary study.”  

Another delegate, Erin, said, "The main lesson that I took away from the talks and panel sessions is that progress is not linear. This can apply to the work and research that you are currently working on, but also to the progression of your career.”  

“I found it reassuring to hear that sideways steps in your career journey are not only inevitable, but vital in your intellectual growth as a STEM professional. This message enabled me to enter the career expo on the last day with an open mind and see possibilities within companies that I wouldn’t have otherwise noticed.”

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